Group items tagged

This could be good news. Apparently, the cease-fire that has been in the workings is close to success. The article states that there have been several key players to already sign the truce. This hopefully means less death and more success against ISIS, but we will have to wait and see.

This could be good news. Apparently, the cease-fire that has been in the workings is close to success. The article states that there have been several key players to already sign the truce. This hopefully means less death and more success against ISIS, but we will have to wait and see.

A New York Times article talking about the differences as far as legal terms between a truce, a cease-fire, and an armistice. I think that it's an excellent article to include because there's a lot of mixing and matching of these three terms by media sources when in actuality they are very different.

Another New York Times article about the weekend truce. Unfortunately according to the article it seems that Russia used the clause that allows airstrikes against ISIS, as an opportunity to also bomb some opposition fighters positions.

A New York Times article discussing how the various sides were following the truce at the time of publication. I think this truce is a step in the right direction and therefore is worth bookmarking.

Hamas offers Israel terms for a ten year truce, but this is an admittance of defeat

The US and Russia have announced that a cease fire will take place on February 27 at midnight, excluding IS and other terrorist organizations. Because the first cease fire was a failure, there is a lot of skepticism surrounding this second effort. 

A BBC article talking about the US and Russia brokered truce that is supposed to start this weekend. The article also includes a fantastic map created by the BBC to show the zones of control and where various airstrikes have been taking place. While this doesn't have anything to do with the arms involved in Syrian conflict I think this is too significant to ignore this week and therefore I have dedicated my tags to it.

Islamist rebels have shot down a Syrian government warplane near Aleppo. The truce was already being loosely enforced, but this will likely bring to the truce to an end, as Syrian forces are now preparing for an attack on Aleppo. 

Syrian Rebel groups are skeptical of the truce that is supposed to take place this weekend. They worry that Syrian and Russian government will continue to attack rebels, but under the cover of attacking "terrorist groups" like IS.

Both the Syrian government and the opposition have reported violations of the cease fire. Although the US is on board with the truce, Russia seems to believe they are not and are planning to use force against violators until the US agrees to the joint rules. 

A Reuters article discussing the possible cease fire/truce that is supposed to occur over the weekend. The article does a good job of highlighting the uncertainty amongst various groups as to what the terms of the deal will be.

Last chance to stop bloodshed in Syria? This article explains that the truce in Syria sponsored by Washington and Moscow, according to opposition groups, could be the last chance at peace.

John Kerry has said that all alleged violations of the ceasefire in Syria will be investigated. Going forward, the US and Russia are working on ensuring that airstrikes only hit ISIS or al-Qaeda occupied areas.

There have been at least 15 reported breaches of the Syrian cease fire by Syrian and Russian government. Rebels say overall it is nice to see people safe and receiving aid, but the loophole of still being able to attack ISIS and al-Qaeda continues to concern the rebels. The 15 breaches in question are viewed as attacks against terrorists by some, and attacks against government opposition by others.

Posted March 02, 2016 01:32:49 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has described the cessation of hostilities in force since Saturday as a "glimmer of hope" while offering rebel forces "full amnesty" if they hand over their weapons. Speaking in an interview with Germany's ARD network, Mr Assad also accused the opposition of violating the agreement intended to halt nearly five years of fighting.

looks Russia and the regime of Bashar al-Assad does not take the issue of cease-fire seriously after the air strike on a school today.

Russian convoys en route to Damascus and Hama in Syria was attacked by militants before reaching their destination. No one was injured, and replacement convoys are being assembled. 

Russia warned it will act unilaterally starting on Tuesday to end alleged violations of the "cessation of hostilities" agreement, unless Moscow and Washington urgently reach an agreement to deal with attacks. The Russian military has accused the United States of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow's proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria ceasefire and response to violations, saying delays are leading to civilian casualties. The Russian Government has threatened the Syrian people who stand against the peace treaty..